~James' POV~
I was sitting on the floor. Staring at the letter, I still hadn't started reading it.
This entire situation was driving me crazy and breaking my heart at the same time.
'Read it. I'm here with you, you're not alone'
Blade assured me. I dragged my hand over my face and then started reading the letter.
'Dear James, my wonderful Alpha.
I am truly sorry for this, but my most important responsibility is to keep you and the pack safe. Even from me. Writing this letter is the single hardest thing I've ever had to do.
You taught me so much in the short time I have known you. But the one thing I will always be grateful for is the fact that you gave me a family. People to love and the feeling of being loved. The feeling of being a part of something. The feeling of belonging.
You gave me that, James, and for that, I will be eternally grateful. Another thing you gave me was the chance to fall in love with myself and with you. I realized it was a feeling unlike anything I had ever experienced. I know that this is all very hard for you and the others. But I needed to leave to keep you safe. So please, please be safe.
This isn't a goodbye, it's only for now. It's a moment, and one day this moment too will end. And I will be home.
Love, Avery. Your mate. '
The letter got prickled with stains from the tears that were falling from my eyes.
'Your mate.' She knew. She knew that she was my mate.
I wiped the tears away and folded the letter, putting it back in its envelope. I sent out a mind link to the ranked members.
'I want her found'
'But Alpha-' Jackson started.
'FIND HER!'
I roared and the line fell dead.
~Sofia's POV~
"HELLO!" I screamed, banging and pulling at the bars. The silver burned into my skin. My ankles and my wrists were restrained with silver cuffs and the cell bars were silver as well.
I knew that there was at least one guard standing at the end of the corridor. But there was no reaction to my screams. My pleads.
How the hell did I even end up here?
I went to sit on the concrete floor, bringing my legs up to my chest. I stared blankly down at my feet. I had just got my wolf. I shifted for the first time just the other day. I met my mate, Michael. We hadn't even mated or marked each other. And now I was here and he wasn't allowed to see me. I could only imagine his pain and his frustration. I knew how he felt because I felt the same way. I didn't long for freedom or to be with my friends. I only longed for him. I needed him.
It was a powerful feeling.
However, if I got charged with espionage and treason, I was as good as dead. A death I didn't deserve.
I was torn from my thoughts when the door to the dungeon opened and footsteps echoed through the empty hall and cells.
"Open the cell." I looked up only to see the witch, Natasha, standing there.
Emilio, the guard, unlocked my cell and Natasha stepped in.
I moved over to the wall, pressing myself against it.
What did this bitch want? I had never known her to have a nice side.
She scanned the room, and then me. Her eyes were showing her amusement, and so was the smug grin on her face.
Oh, how I want to beat that smile away.